Oral biofilm extracellular polymeric substance matrix and pH buffering environment

The oral biofilm extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix and pH buffering environment constitute a critical therapeutic target in dental medicine. The EPS matrix, primarily composed of glucans, fructans, and extracellular DNA, serves as a scaffold that anchors microbial communities to the tooth surface and protects them from host immune responses and antimicrobial agents (Bowen & Koo, 2011). Within this protected niche, the pH buffering environment is a critical determinant of tooth health; the fermentation of carbohydrates by acidogenic bacteria produces organic acids that lower the local pH, leading to the demineralization of tooth enamel (Marsh, 2006). Therapeutic interventions target this system by disrupting the EPS structure using enzymes or by enhancing buffering capacity through agents like arginine, which promotes alkali production by commensal bacteria (Burne & Marquis, 2000). Effective management of this environment is essential for preventing dental caries and maintaining oral health by preventing the ecological shift toward a cariogenic state (Takahashi & Nyvad, 2011). Furthermore, fluoride interacts with this environment by inhibiting bacterial enzymes and promoting the remineralization of the tooth surface under acidic conditions (Hamilton, 1990).

Other names

Dental plaque matrixExtracellular polymeric substances (EPS)Cariogenic biofilm microenvironmentOral biofilm EPS-matrix

Disruption of extracellular polysaccharide synthesis, enzymatic degradation of the biofilm scaffold, and neutralization of organic acids to maintain pH homeostasis.